Oregon State University

and teacher was John Wesley Johnson, a famous figure in Oregon higher education. Johnson received his secondary education in Corvallis and his undergraduate from Pacific University before managing the new academy. He later attended Yale University and became an instrumental figure in the development and administration of several other early Oregon colleges. Between 1860 and 1868, the Southern Methodist Church took ownership and ran the academy privately.
In 1865, William A. Finley was hired as president and expanded the curriculum to include upper-level courses. The growth in curriculum made OSU a magnet for many Northwest young adults seeking professions.
On August 22, 1868, the official articles of incorporation were filed for Oregon State University, known then as Corvallis College. To help ensure the state's sole public college would be well funded, the Oregon Legislative Assembly designated it Oregon's Land-grant university and the "agricultural college of the state of Oregon". Two months later, on October …